Writer’s help

It was in the paper on Saturday. Again. The best job ad I’ve ever seen for a part time job. Luckily I don’t live in London, so have never been tempted to apply. If I did, would I live for much longer? I’m curious as to what writers in Notting Hill do to their home helps.

Has anyone else noticed the ad, and does anyone know what’s going on?

‘Home helps needed by female writer in Notting Hill Gate. Employer is slightly disabled. Several mornings during weekdays. £9 per hour. Housework, shopping and whatever comes up. Over-qualified people welcomed. A sense of humour helps and you’ll need to be reliable, practical, keenly helpful and able to commit to a minimum of 6 months. References required.’

I first saw this (presumably quite expensive ad, as it’s the Guardian) a few years ago, and liked the look of it. Who wouldn’t? Noticed it again a week later, which is normal, unless you consider the cost. To see the same ad repeated every few weeks over several years is worrying. Or just intriguing?

Either it’s not genuine, or this writer eats her amusing and well educated home helps. Or worse.

I was going to put a vampire picture here, but just looking at them made me feel wobbly. Use your imagination. I did.

I’m guessing that the over-qualified people apply, expecting it to be lots of literary chat and getting to meet famous writers, find out that it’s actually mostly housework, shopping and wrestling anacondas, and move on.

But she could be sucking the life out of them and releasing them as wraiths, back into the world, of course.

You’re right. I just looked at my list, and it is SO boring. From now on I will have anaconda wrestling on as an almost daily chore. Luckily I have no dog to walk, so that very same dog will never risk being gulped down by the anaconda. Or would that be why one wrestles it? To retrieve unfortunate dog?

Body parts … ? Perhaps that’s it … maybe she’s not just slightly disabled, but severely … maybe just a brain in a jar, how would you cope with that? Particularly if our female writer doesn’t acknowledge her limitations. Gruesome … interesting 🙂

Seana, how would you feel about a longish ‘holiday’ in London? You test the water and we’ll wait to hear what it’s all about. And if it’s not good, then let me just say it’s been lovely meeting you here.

It is up again today. This forum seems to be the only place in the whole wide google nets discussing this now frankly terrifying add. Employer has recognised rampaging inflation and bumped wage to £10 an hour.

And last weekend as well, unless it was the week before. Didn’t notice the higher wages offered, but feel I lack in the sense of humour the situation requires. Either she never hires anyone, or they leave prematurely. And I’d rather not dwell on the cause.
Brrr.

Wowza and double wowza. The first post makes me want to start applying for jobs–EVERYWHERE–and the second makes me think, still no luck, then, writer lady? Oh, I am sorely tempted to apply and see what happens.

Don’t be tempted to apply. I suspect the woman who places these ads is an attention-seeker and has been doing this for 11 years because she’s lonely and dysfunctional. It’s her hobby. Even if there is legitimate Home Help work to be done I imagine she will mess you about for ages and nothing will come it.

Oh, come on, people. Surely someone is willing to be messed about for a few days and then report back here. I mean, I’d do it, but it’s a long trip from California.

I mean, the worse it is, the better the story will be, right? Sure, you might come to a foul end, but you could use your phone camera right up to that point. Just make sure to have one of our numbers on speed dial. The downside is that you’ll be dead, but the upside is that we’ll avenge you.

I was pleased to find this debate. For some time I have mulled over the strange recurrence of this ad, yet only recently felt compelled to do some digging. After much anticipation following your comments it was a shame to see no ad this week. Alas the mystery continues….

I too have been mesmerised by the regularity of these adverts. I’m going to apply for further details next time I see it – and last time was a week ago – so I reckon there’ll be another in a week or two. I suspect somewhat irrascible.

The woman who posts these ads is mentally ill, a control freak and a time waster. She blows hot and cold in a very manipulative manner and you will never be able to please or satisfy her. These ads have been running for 11 years and she is now on Timewise jobs too – and I can’t believe they have taken her on. Avoid her – it is exhausting emotionally and a waste of time.

Some people do manage this job for a while but it is important to remember that dealing with ill people requires proper training and although she does not ask for properly trained people in her job description, personally I don’t think anybody should take on a home care role without having been trained and without understanding more about the medical background and mental health of their employer. If you go into it without the right level of experience then you will cause upset to yourself and to her.

On more recent occasions we have opted to shop, or merely browse, at the Scottish Antique & Arts Centre outside Doune, and then got in the car to have tea somewhere else. But then, it can be nice to sit … Continue reading →